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Voice Of Addiction: Ian Tomele

Voice Of Addiction is a politically charged Chicago based band. They are spreading their anti-capitalistic message through rock, punk and ska songs. Their goal set forth is simple; to make audiences world-wide open their eyes to the injustices around them and the globe.

To individually change the world to any degree is quite a challenge. The only way true change has happened is through cooperation and determination. V.O.A. does not expect to change the world, but rather with cooperation with others to attempt to make a dent. Voice Of Addiction’s music is a combination of punk ethos and attitudes mixed with rock styles and ska breakdowns. Voice Of Addiction’s message is said best through their name. “Everyone is addicted, whether is be drugs, alcohol, religion, sex money, etc. Our job is to be the voice that puts these things on the table of discussion that otherwise might be overlooked. We might be best understood by not wanting to reinvent the wheel, but rather wanting to dismantle it!” Quotes vocalist and bassist Ian Tomele.

Tell me about how you originally got into your craft, Ian.I have been playing music for as long as I can remember. I started at a young age on piano. I then joined orchestra in elementary school and continued this for throughout middle school. I started playing bass when I was 12 and picked up guitar a couple years later. I have fiddled on many other instruments but bass and guitar have been my mainstays. I moved to Chicago in 2001 to go to Columbia, and graduated in 2006 as a double major. Music for instrumental performance and Audio Arts for Live Sound Engineering. Jeff (guitar) and I have been playing together since we were 13. (over half our lives) He moved to Chicago before me and kinda convinced me to move out there.

What is your favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?Get up on stage and pour my heart and soul out every night. I am fortunate to be able to do this and keep doing this. There are so many people involved that help make this happen.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to running your business?I would say this has to be finding the time to do everything. There always seems to be so much to do and there is only so many hours. I try to keep the attitude that I can only do what I can do. But at times it is overwhelming. But these are the sacrifices I consciously took when I decided that I didn't want to have a boss. I always have stuck with the D!i!Y! punk rock ethic I fell in love with as a kid.

When you were a kid, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up? I remember being young and wanting to be a scientist. I used to have a little laboratory set up in our basement. I would mix all kinds of chemicals and what not together. I don't know how I never blew up the whole block! Once I got into my pre-teens my sights were set on music. Music plays such an important part of human lives, animals and even in nature. It has existed for as long as anything can be determined. I see it as an amazing force. And being a band that has a message, I saw this as a vehicle to get the word out.

In what way has your community impacted your development as a musician?I grew up in Cleveland and lived there until I moved to Chicago when I was 21. Cleveland is a poor city in the middle of the rustbelt. I would go to punk and hardcore shows and it was like a breath of fresh air. It was an escape from the monotony of every day life. I never saw my parents much, they were always working, working, working. I didn't want to end up like that. Working for something and someone else that I didn't believe in and had nothing to do with me. I wanted to work for my own goals and aspirations, and for things that would affect me. This helped me in the business side of music more then anything. I have had the luck to work with many talented musicians both in Cleveland and Chicago. And I have taken something from everyone of them.

What other artists out there do you love?this list could og on forever! I would say Fugazi, for not only their music, but the way they functioned as a band. They split the business side up between the 4 members. And together worked as a team, I am all about that! The Pixies,Devo,Gogol Bordello,New Model Army,The Dead Milkmen...

What does your future hold? Right now we consistently tour throughout the Midwest, up and down the East Coast and Eastern Canada. We want to work out making it to the rest of the US on the left coast. We are also trying to make it out to Europe. Continue making music and most importantly getting out there and playing it live for people!

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